Survived first year.

[aukperson 0]

Great thread...

I have noticed that when ordering in a restaurant we British say, "can I have the steak please"...

Note the "please" on the end. My Fiancée (and everyone else I have met in California) don't say the word please.... and of course the word "have" is changed to "get".

I cant stop thinking that it's rude, but it's obviously the way its done in CA because nobody bats an eyelid.

I'm pretty sure some of my words will change but I doubt my pronunciation will. I feel a fool saying "warder" and "Haht" instead of Hot.

I'm pretty sure I will never pick up the obsession with "like" and "todally" (totally) either.

Ask your American SO to say the word "Mirror" That one always rolls me up.... in CA it sounds like Mierrr and when my Fiancée tries to do a British accent she sounds like a large German lady called Helga.

Endless hours of fun, especially that she says my American accent sounds like an incredibly gay flamer from LA.

I will say this though, everyone I have met on my visits has been VERY welcoming and kind.

I really cant wait to be there...

Cheers.

James

[Jeraly 4]

I remember being in a bar and asking for Nachos and was promptly thrown a box of matches.

My mother is on a personal crusade to teach my husband to say "nachos", "taco" and "pasta" like a proper American

I will *never* say pasta the American way - I still laugh at my OH when he says it Likewise though when he starts trying to pronounce things the English way or use English words in place of American ones I do nag at him - I think it is important that we retain some differences One thing I am glad of is that he does know the true meaning of "taking the piss" - something that results in a look of horror and/or embarrassment from most other Americans I have spoken to!!

I friend of mine - as Brummie as can be - was in NYC:

Him: "can you tell me how to get to Avenue A"

Other guy "Avenue I - there ain't no Avenue I buddy"

Him: " No - Avenue A. Avenue AAAAAAA"

Other guy: "I'm telling you buddy, it only goes up to Avenue D"

LMAO - My dad's OH is Brummie and I can just imagine her in this situation (Bristolian born and bred me - good ol' pirate accent!!). We (my brothers and I) are forever doing impressions of her because she has such a broad accent!!

Thanks for the insight OP - its nice to know that even after a year you haven't run screaming for the UK again - fills me with a bit of hope even if things are taking their time!!

Yes - the other good word to get your American OH to say is "mum" my OH sounds *so* gay when he says it bless him And you're right about the "get" thing as well - I just never really paid much attention to it before!!

[mustang-sally 8]

When I was over in the States earlier this year it was amusing how they all loved my accent even though I had to repeat myself several times to be understood

My DF has warned me about saying certain things, especially my habit of saying "####### up" LOL. My DF does use 'English words' to me though I'm sure not in conversations there.

My opinion is 'take me as I come!!!!!!!' LOL. Though not sure whether I should use that phrase there.

I'm not going to change though, I will keep my "Englishness" all the time

[clairern 0]

You guys crack me up. This is a great thread. I am originally from Jamaica, (once a British colony). We leave the "H" off everything and spell and say some ways the same way it is pronounced by you guys but with a Ja accent. This can be quite confusing to most people and we also get blank stares and have to continuously repeat ourselves.

They always try to break the ice by saying "I like your accent" sarcastically. I just love the British accent.

[Sal and Jay 2]

Just found this post and very interesting.

Thought Id share something that happened to me while visiting my SO.

We went to IHOP and the lady said where are you from and I said England, she then said you speak very good english, duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh lol

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

Just found this post and very interesting.

Thought Id share something that happened to me while visiting my SO.

We went to IHOP and the lady said where are you from and I said England, she then said you speak very good english, duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh lol

Also just found this thread...very entertaining...it's good to know the perspective of my SO when he is finally here...

About his accent (Essex/Devon)...I love it and wouldn't change a thing about it; I even threatened him that if he lost it, I would send him back to retrieve it!!! I would rather learn to say the things he says that are different, than for him to change...

[Lansbury 19]

About his accent (Essex/Devon)...I love it and wouldn't change a thing about it; I even threatened him that if he lost it, I would send him back to retrieve it!!! I would rather learn to say the things he says that are different, than for him to change...

It isn't some much how he speaks within the family, it is when dealing with non family members in every day situations.

I still speak within the family very much as I did in England, my 3 year old grandson speaks American and English and changes his words when he speaks to me. However when shopping or in a restaurant for example I now tend to switch to American pronunciation as much as I can because otherwise it just becomes an uphill struggle. Heck they struggle enough with the accent you have to try and make it as easy as possible for them.